Summer travel is holding strong among Saudi Arabia residents, but the timeline for booking has shifted. Research from Skyscanner shows 42 per cent of travellers in the Kingdom have already confirmed their summer plans, while 44 per cent are still actively deciding. Just 2 per cent say they are not travelling this summer.
The findings point to a pattern of later, more deliberate planning. Some 37 per cent of Saudi respondents say their travel arrangements remain open-ended, while 25 per cent are working around school schedules or fixed commitments.
“Travellers today are approaching summer travel with a very different mindset. We’re seeing people spend more time comparing options, looking for greater flexibility and prioritising journeys that feel smoother and easier to navigate overall. The role of travel platforms is no longer just about helping people book flights — it’s about helping travellers plan with more clarity and confidence throughout the entire experience. Whether that’s comparing routes, managing layovers, finding the right stay or coordinating group trips, travellers increasingly want tools that simplify the process and help them make more informed decisions,” Ayoub El Mamoun, Travel Expert at Skyscanner said in a statement.
Group travel is a recurring pressure point. Nearly 46 per cent of Saudi travellers say organising a trip with others is more stressful than moving house, and 35 per cent cite budget alignment as the single hardest part of planning with a group.
Experience is also reshaping where people want to go. Some 93 per cent of Saudi travellers say they want to explore places that feel new or different, rather than destinations they regularly see on social media or hear about from their social circles.
Route flexibility is increasingly part of the picture. Skyscanner says usage of its Layover Filter, launched in March 2026, has grown 80% globally since launch.
The company also reported that Abu Dhabi overtook Dubai as the most-selected layover airport from April, with usage peaking in mid-May ahead of Eid Al Adha. Saudi Arabia and the UAE were among markets where travellers showed a greater openness to connecting itineraries compared to those opting for direct routes.
